Deeping-Fen

DEEPING-FEN, an extra-parochial liberty, in the union of Peterborough, wapentake of Elloe, parts of Holland, county of Lincoln, 6 miles (S. W.) from Spalding; containing 540 inhabitants. Another tract, also extra-parochial, which extends into the union of Bourne, wapentake of Ness, parts of Kesteven, contains 433 inhabitants. This extensive district was a portion of the waste belonging to several parishes, and is partly held by adventurers, for draining, and partly by persons who are free from drainage expenses by the nature of their tenures; all the land is exempt from ecclesiastical and other assessments. A church was erected and endowed by the Stevenson family, and consecrated in July, 1846: the cost of erection was £4000, and of the endowment, £5000.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, 7th edition, published in 1848.